The Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with Pepsodent and the Nigerian Dental Association, NDA, have revealed plans to improve oral hygiene of 10 million Nigerians. Nigeria is currently ranked 1st ahead of 31 countries globally in efforts to promote oral health hygiene.
The NDA last week kicked off activities to mark this year’s World Oral Health Day (WOHD) celebration with the theme: “Live Mouth Smart”.
Restating the Federal government’s Oral Health Policy, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, disclosed that Unilever has signed an exclusive MOU with the Federal Ministry of Health to sustain the momentum of the Unilever Oral health school’s programme initiative.
Adewole who was represented by the Head of Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Mrs. Bola Alonge, said: “Less than 20 per cent of Nigerians have access to oral care services which focuses on the curative care. Many oral health diseases can easily be prevented through simply brushing twice a day. “This is why the Federal Ministry of Health and Unilever have taken on the task to teach children to brush day and night. Children are the change agent of the nation and hence we need to catch them young.”
According to the NDA President, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe: “It is imperative to prevent oral diseases in Nigeria by ensuring people brush twice a day, every day. In addition to the fact that many people cannot afford dental care, statistics also shows that there are only about 4,125 registered dentists, that is, about 40,000 people to one dentist.”
Speaking to the statistics that show that 59 percent of Nigerians do not brush day and night, Nigeria Oral Care Category Lead- Ibironke Ugbaja Unilever Nigeria Plc, said: “Our goal at Pepsodent is to continue driving improved oral care practices for a cavity free smile Nigeria. We are also aware that healthy dental habits start in childhood, which is why it’s vital that the Pepsodent Brush Day and Night campaign reaches more children than ever before. We have reached over 2.5 million children in about 3,500 schools since inception. Our goal is to reach 10 million children by 2020.”
The Corporate Affairs Director, Unilever, Soramidayo George said recent research shows that establishing the twice a day brushing habit in children has benefits into adulthood.
She added that the effects of practicing good oral health from young have lasting effects as nearly 20 years later, these children have experienced almost 20 percent fewer dental treatments than their peers, proving that these interventions make an impact for life.” Free Songs Song 20 Years Absences Additions
By: Chioma Obinna
Vanguard News
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